Hi Rich, in your lecture, you said "If you are not trained to work in pregnancy you aren’t doing any of that." Does that mean you don't think we should take pregnant clients unless we have specific training? You mean like a weekend workshop or something? Do you have any suggestions on teachers for this? Can you say anything more about this statement? Thanks! Jessa

Rich said: So the truth is somewhere in the middle - but I try to be conservative when lecturing and err on the side of driving home the point that pregnancy is a time where "less is more" and to be super careful with what you do as a practitioner. I have been practicing for 20+ yrs but still if there is a complicated pregnancy-related issue, I will refer out. I am not at all saying that you cannot work with people during pregnancy after completing the two year program, but more trying to be cautious and making sure everyone recognizes their limits. Herbalism actually needs more specialization - I think the model of having a PCP who then refers you to an endocrinologist or a rheumatologist, or in this case an OB/GYN is actually a model we should strive for! I hope that makes sense and clarifies.